Last Saturday I spent a lovely though rather chilly day printing my latest collagraph.
My first trial was using sepia Caligo Safe Wash etching ink on Somerset Satin paper, the result helped me to see where ink had settled on the plate and if there were areas that needed work.
Looking at this print I was pleased with the way the greenhouse stands out from the busy textured surroundings. The ink has picked up the detail in the cat as well as the texture in the clematis.
On producing this print there were areas where I had to leave plate tone (a thin residue of ink) to add interest and depth to the piece as well as picking up on some of the more subtle textures within the collagraph. I also found that the cat needed careful work to ensure certain areas such as the head and whiskers stood out from others which meant leaving more plate tone on the body of the cat.
My next trial was to use the double drop method (printing the collagraph with one colour before re-inking the collagraph with another colour and printing on top of the initial print). I find that using more than one colour of ink seems to give more depth to my work.
The first layer of ink I used was yellow ochre. I like the warmth this colour gives, evocative of the windowsill depicted here. Having a subtle tone, when printed it works well when paired with a darker tone on top. In this case I used a deep purple colour mixed from ultramarine and cadmium red. This shade helps to add further warmth and increase the contrast.
I am pleased with how the clematis has printed, I think using two colours has given it more impact. The greenhouse looks a bit heavy compared to the initial print so may need more wiping back next time. The cat on the other hand could do with more detail, particularly in the face so I will leave more plate tone there in future. I may also try using slightly paler shades in the background next time to help bring the cat forward.